Agenda item

Joint report of the Remembrancer and Director of Economic Development.

Members received a joint report of the City Remembrancer and the Director of Economic Development concerning an overview of the City Corporation’s legal services work.

Members were pleased on receiving such a report, however one Member noted that there were a few activities missing from the report, such as an annual reception for the Central London Bench and activity of the Courts Sub Committee of the Policy & Resources Committee. It was also noted that engagement with the Central London Bench could be increased.

Discussion followed about the importance of legal services as part of the wider professional and business services sector. A Member underlined the need for the City Corporation to be engaging in all areas of this wider sector too. Other Members agreed but also felt that as there was such a depth of understanding of legal services within the City Corporation, and that a future Lord Mayor might potentially use legal services as their mayoral theme, it made sense for this to be focused on.

One Member felt it would be helpful to understand a breakdown of the legal services sector based on Ministry for Justice reports, and specifically referenced intellectual property lawyers as London was a centre of expertise in this area.

There was also discussion on how to involve Members better in these areas and it was suggested that the Town Clerk looked again at how to collate Members’ interests in a certain area. One Member reported that the majority of Members were also members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

The Director of Economic Development confirmed that two reports would be submitted to this Sub-Committee in due course, concerning, firstly, the City Corporation’s involvement with the Professional and Business Services Council and, secondly, research on the overall ecosystem of the City.

RESOLVED, that:

·         The work currently being undertaken be noted and the outlined direction of travel be endorsed;

·         The Town Clerk review how Members interests be collected and whether this should be updated; and

·         The Director of Economic Development to report back on the City Corporation’s involvement with the Professional and Business Services Council and its research on the overall ecosystem of the City.